Hermannfest began in 2014 after the 150th anniversary of the New Ulm Battery served as a precursor event in 2013. In that year, led by former New Ulm Mayor Joel Albrecht, more than $5,000 was raised by a raffle for a chance to fire the cannon.

On Saturday, noise, excitement and the crowd grew as the day went on.

Dain Moldan of Dain’s Dutchmen Band began the musical lineup with polka music at Hermann Heights. A good-sized crowd of people listened. Many of them said it was music, food, beer and favorable weather than drew them to Hermannfest.

The Leon Olson Band the The Concord Singers followed at Hermann Heights.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Cannon fire from eight units echoed throughout the Minnesota River Valley as “Thunder in the Valley” and the New Ulm Municipal Band performed a variety of music Saturday at Harman Park. Jonah and the Whales, a Twin Cities pop, rock, country and punk band performed prior to fireworks over Hermann.

The Bockfest Boys performed rock and country music prior to “Thunder in the Valley” with the New Ulm Battery, seven other cannon groups from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota.

New Ulm Battery Sgt. Joe Laechel of Sleepy Eye has been with the group for 16 years.

“I had an old high school friend who was in it, James Allison. He dragged me along to an event and it got me hooked. I really love certain parts of history like the U.S. Dakota War and the Civil War. I learned a lot more about the Civil War after joining the Battery,” said Laechel.

He has traveled to Shiloh, Tn. and Gettysburg, Pa. for 150th anniversary reenactments with the New Ulm Battery.

“Those were big events with hundreds of re-enactors and thousands of people watching,” Laechel said.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm Battery Sgt. Joe Laechel stands next to the New Ulm Battery cannon at Hermannfest Saturday at Harman Park.

His wife Laura has relatives that died in the U.S.-Dakota War including one in Milford Township.

“I just like shooting the cannons and seeing people I haven’t seen for a while,” he said.

New Ulm Municipal Band baritone player Samuel Miller, a 3M engineer in New Ulm said a co-worker told him the band would be a good way to become involved in the community and meet people.

“I was in the jazz band in high school in Burnsville and wanted to get involved in music here. The band has a good group of people of all ages. This is our last performance of the year. We start up again next summer,” said Miller.

He said his favorite tune with the band is the “Schunkel Parade.”

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Cannon fire from eight units echoed throughout the Minnesota River Valley as “Thunder in the Valley” and the New Ulm Municipal Band performed a variety of music Saturday at Harman Park. Jonah and the Whales, a Twin Cities pop, rock, country and punk band performed prior to fireworks over Hermann. Staff photo by Fritz Busch A lengthy fireworks show over the Hermann Monument capped Hermanfest Saturday.

The New Ulm High School (NUHS) and Cathedral High School Class of 1979 held 45-year reunion gatherings at Harman Park.

Larry Zimmermann, a 1979 NUHS grad, who now lives north of Brainerd, attended the reunion. A retired salesman, he also lived in Fargo, Monticello and Faribault.

He played football at NUHS and briefly at North Dakota State University. He lifted weights and sang in the NUHS choir.

“I just love this town. Harman Park was Westside Park when I grew up. I fondly remember playing here, sliding down the big hill in the winter. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up. When I tell people I’m from New Ulm, it seems they always know something about it. It has helped me enjoy life,” Zimmermann said.

Hermann Monument Society President Tom Furth said after a decade, Hermannfest has evolved with the monument. With the Hermann Monument needing work, he said its an opportunity for folks to support it.

“It means a lot to continue the German heritage,” he said. “It means a lot to promote our monument. That’s what sets New Ulm apart from many other towns around us, other towns our size throughout the nation, is our focus on tradition and good people.”

For more information, visit https://hermannmonument.com/